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  • rsmith22566
    February 14, 2006 at 2:47 pm #23607

    Hi All. I’m getting my very first dbt tomorrow and I was wondering what you all feed your dbt’s. I’d really appreciate the input. I am so nervous! Thanks Rhonda

    rcftx
    February 14, 2006 at 4:50 pm #23608

    Hi Rhonda…I am a breeder and have 15 years of experience with DBacks. I feed mine a combination of Jumbomin (the live food alternative), Mazzuri, live Mosquito fish, Krill, and occasionally Crickets dusted with Reptical(calcium). You can buy the Jumbomin at WalMart very inexpensively …a 7.4 OZ container costs about $10.69. The Jumbomin are pellets loaded with shrimp meal and other nutrients which provides a very balanced diet for your Terrapin and should be the main staple in its diet. Good Luck! Regards, Rich Hollander

    rhonda smith
    February 14, 2006 at 4:58 pm #23609

    Rich, Thanks for the quick response. I want to be prepared when this little girl gets here tomorrow. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of mosquito fish. Is there another name for them? Rhonda rcftx

    rcftx
    February 14, 2006 at 5:09 pm #23610

    Hi Rhonda…their latin name I believe is Gambusia affinis. These little fish breed naturally in my ponds..so they are readily available for my yearlings that I keep inside over the winter. Regards, Rich

    rhonda smith
    February 14, 2006 at 5:49 pm #23611

    Rich, What species diamondbacks do you raise? I noticed on your membership info, you are from Texas. I live in Kingwood, Texas (by Houston). Do you know where you could buy the mosquito fish? I have read on some of the websites that they feed them some fish called smelt. I’ve never heard of that either. The pet store I go to normally has feeder guppies or some red fish. (I forgot what it is called). Regards, Rhondarcftx

    rcftx
    February 14, 2006 at 7:18 pm #23612

    Hi Rhonda…I raise Ornates, Concentrics, Chesapeakes and Texans. You can feed them smelt, however they are frozen from the markets here in town and loose some vitamins in the process. If you can feed them live fish its much better. Guppies are fine, Also on occasion I have fed them Rosy’s…however I have heard the mercury content in store bought fish can be high…so I feed mine the natural pond raised mosquito fish. Since you are here in town…you can e-mail me direct for any further advise. rcftx@… Regards, Rich Hollander

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